Tablet counting apparatus



Dec. 28, 1948. c. c. FOWLER ET AL 2,457,220

TABLET COUNTING'APPARAT'JS Filed March 16, 1945 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec.28, 1948. c. c. F OWLER E I'AL 2,457,220 TABLET COUNTING APPARATUS FiledMarch 16, 1945 '3 Sheets-Sheet '2 Dec. 28, 1948. c c, FOWLER ET A2,457,220

TABLET COUNTING APPARATUS Filed March 16, 1945 5 She'e'ts-Sheet 3 MmM/VWPatented Dec. 28, 1948 2,457,220 TABLET COUNTING APPARATUS Chester C.Fowler, Evanston, and George T. Clark, Chicago, Ill., assignors toLanteen Medical Laboratories, Inc a corporation of Delaware ApplicationMarch 16, 1945, Serial No. 583,114

This invention relates to a machine for counting tablets, pills andother articles of a shape and size adaptable to being counted in thismachine, and which for convenience will hereinafter be referred to astablets. In the present machine the tablets are dumped into a hopper orthe like, and thereafter are automatically handled without being touchedby human hands, are arranged in groups so that a certain predeterminednumber of tablets will be in each group, and conveyed in that definitegrouping to a place of deposit into a container, with a certainty thatthe correct number of tablets will be in each container.

Among the objects of our invention is to provide a machine capable ofeffecting the accomplishment of the above mentioned advantages,continuously for as long as desired, and without error that might occurif the counting were done by hand.

A further object is to provide such a machine that is efficient inoperation, can be operated by a single attendant, requires no outsideattention other than bringing tablets to be deposited into the hopperand taking away the containers containing the counted tablets, and issimple in construction and safe to operate.

Another object is to provide a turntable formed in an annular zonearound its circular extent with regularly arranged openings so thatdesired portions of the perforated zone may be selectively covered overto leave exposed the predetermined number of openings corresponding tothe definite number of tablets desired to be introduced into thecontainer.

A still further object is to provide a novel sweeping device to sweepaway excess tablets when the exposed openings in the turntable,correspond ing to the number of tablets desired, have been filled, toinsure that the number of tablets filled into the container will becorrect.

Another object is to provide removable means for covering up those holesnot desired, and leave exposed in spaced groups the desiredpredetermined number of holes, so that as the turntable rotates, suchgroups of holes will be spaced apart such distances as to enable thefilling of one container with the predetermined number of tablets,removing the filled container and positioning an empty container inplace before the next group of holes with the proper number of tabletspasses over the hopper leading to the container, and so on for thesucceeding groups of ment of hopper and associated parts for placing 7Claims. (01. 226-2) only one tablet in each opening of each group, as

the groups successively pass under this hopper.

A still further object is to provide novel means H for guiding straytablets back to the hopper which places the tablets in the spaced groupsof holes in the turntable.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities in herently possessed by ourinvention will later more fully appear.

Our invention further resides in the combination, construction andarrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and Whilewe have shown therein a preferred embodiment-,.- we wish it understoodthat the same is susceptible of modification and change withoutdeparting from the spirit of our invention.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a tablet countingapparatus embodying our invention, parts being broken away for the sakeof clearness.

turntable.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section onithe" line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion.

of the turntable and supporting table, with *a portion of the supportingtable and the turntable" broken away to show the container fillinghopper ,therebel ow.

with laterally extending braces 3 upon which are mounted a motor 4,reduction gearing 5 and 6,- from the latter of which upwardly extendsadrive shaft 1 provided at its upper end with a hub 8 fixed thereto by aset screw or the like 9, and

further supported on the shaft by a collar. Ill, shaft 1 being driventhrough suitable mechanism i from motor 4 and controlled as desired-byclutch H. Fixed to hub 8 by any suitable number of screws I2, or othersuitable connecting means;- is a turntable l3, spaced by means of a thinsepa-'- rating metal disc I4 a slight distance fromia facing layer l5fixed by bolts or the like l6 to the supporting table I.

Fixed at diametrically opposite points'to table I, by screws or the likeH, are a pair. of supporting members l8 and I9, preferably of wood. Tothe outer face of member i9, and to the adjacent end of table I, aresecured a pair of hinges 2B and 2|, the other portion of which hingesare secured to the end member 22 of a rectangular frame 23. Within thisframe is secured between cross members 24 and 2.5, .a. hopper 26 havingas shown in Fig. 2 neamitsfihbttom pfortion a -perirnetaliflange 21adapted to restup'on cross members 24and 25 and at their other two sidesupon the upper edges of frame 23. Extending laterally across the"interior of the hopper 26 is a V-ShEJIEEdl baiiierZSr as will beunderstood in Fig. 4. The bottom edges of baflle 28 are spaced adistance 'away 'from tlreadjacent inner side walls ofthe"liopperg..so'jas.to

spread the tablets or the like laterally towardthe '1 sides of thehopper, and preven't theitctali weight: of the tablets in the hopperfrom bearing directly upon the turntable. v

As seen in Fig. 2, the frame 23 normally rests at 'its ehd 's on membersP8 and l 9 an'd' 't1irough" the medi i'irn of I hinges w and 2 I may beswung upwardly 'a desired distan ce' as shown in dotted lifies in 2 Ais'shown in {F'i'g'Z ii,'one of the' side fa'ces 'of the bottoIi-i portionof tirehopper coir-- tacts tne inner"fate ofthe loligitudi riail rnember' 29 of the frame, the bottom edge 30 of the hopper beiiig sp abed atsuitz tblerdistarice above 'the"tu rn=- tlfilfl 3 1 The atirer'sideraceofthe bottom per-'- tion of the hopper is spaced inwardlistt'a distancefrom 'tl-i'e other loirgitirdinal member 3i" of the frame to: receive asbrush support 32 vertically siiiabiefin tlre 'spae'e betweentne bottom:porticn or; the hopper antriontgrtudruaii merriber r at by means-T of?an: adjusting screw- 33G- threadably monrited in the' bracket sl fikedto ierigitudinai member3l.

This brush is provided with downwardly ex temiing tuits 35, whichares-positions d: to bear wrtlisuitable pressurei againsftli'efi upperffa'ceof the turntablei' so? a's toihaver a; sweeping a'ctiorr astheetumntable passes thereunder: The thrcliness of thetirrntableissuelr'as toinsuretliat-only oneitabnietzwiibbepresenturreach hues lasethesei holes inetlie'cturntable passunderi tli'e' hopper '26;thezbuusrl 35 holding back. anyrexc'essstablets' the turntable passesunder the hopper andi iirs'uii mgitheopr'esen'ce ersonty'onetabieti'meach hole.-

Fixed by screws or the like 38.to tlr'i'e:bottom fthetimrerifaceiofrtlreclongitudtealim'emberr 29; is an angle plate 39 atone side of tlfie borttonrofith'e happen toeprevent the 1tablet'sfsiironirr'excess crowdin-gr atttliecsidvwherei the? turntable:passes :into: thespace below the'hepper. As'willz'be Lmderstood:thecbm'shifitis positioned on :theWrai-ling sideaoi the hopper where theturntable passesiouti-fromi thereunderr. AssseeniineEig-flztherbolllibll'k') face of. tlirestablets when: in: holessSrT: sues:alongrthe; upperffaces'of' the stationamy facingimember '5. fixed:toithe 'topi f a'ces of the table? i; which facing member is circularandroffslightlygreaterfdi'amreter: than :therdiameterrof thei'turntabl'eaS'JWiIIbE understoodiin 3: Fixed to 'thei'p'erimeterr of facingmembenl'fi andrextendingz-upwardlyn azshort distancetherefrom; is:amannulah flange 4B which" extends high ehtnigil'r toa preventanyotrthetablets f rom: f allihg laterally *ofifi cit the E turntable: Thespace betweeriz thiez bottom face of; the turntable andith'e:upper-face-of=therfaeing:member'is small enoughitb pneventanysofitheata'blets becomingiwedged; therelrretweehe 1 The: end the?reetangulanframe away" from the hopper 2B is releasably held againstthesmems beta k8 by: hooks M removablyengaging;- eyesa 42 in: the:table;v or any: othenf' suitable releasable 4 securing means may be usedas desired. By releasing this securing means the rectangular frame 23may be raised to enable inspection, repairs, or cleaning of theturntable underneath the same. Extending laterally between thelongitudinal members 29 and 3! of the frame is a cross member 33, thebottom edge of which, as seen in Fig. 2, iskspa'cedabove the uppersurface of the turntable. E xten'dingdiagonally across'the space betweenthe cross member t3 and the end member i' 't of the rectangular frame isa supporting menibeiY4 tOHVhJiGh is mounted a brush support member 45upon which are mounted a number of b'rushesfl} asseenin- Fig. 2, thebottom ends of the'tuftsbfwhich brushes contact the upper face of the"turntable and are positioned an in wardly-extending angle as seen in l,to brush any excess tablets toward the insideof the turntablean'd awayfrom the hole groups, as the turntable rotates under this bi-ush.

E i-flied to'the outer side faces of the lcngitudinal members ZS 'and 31of the rectangular frame by means of screwsor the like it; andalong'twov sides of th'e hopper: are theiend's of abarrier-ba'nds 49wh'ich -is extended inthe form'of a curved loop inwardly from thehopper,the upper edges of this bai'rier-band passing through notches 5d and 5iinto the bottom edges" of the longitudinal merni bers 29 and 31of1the'frame'as will be understood mun-Figs; I aridZ; This. constructionenables the barriersbandi to be. carried. with the rectangular frameand. extended downwardly therebelow a sufficient distance to be'ploseto, but not in rub= bing contact with, the turntable. 1 the.purposeof'tlris barrier-band. is to prevent any saidtablets-fromssmoving" into the middle of the turntable and-to guidesuch"tablets around the-turntable? C1"0$6i 30 the barrieraband and; causethemf to'ibe' returned; to :p ass underthe bctt 49' the hopper 2-5.

As -seenlirrz Fig; 11 the turntable has formed cm of therein' a" largenumber of regularly positioned ho1es3l whichi'may; if desired; extendentirely around th'ei-outerannular: zone of the turntable, 'or'at leastttrsaf large 'portion.oi. the same: As noted in Fig; lithese holes: arearranged in series of aligned annular paths; at regular distancesapart;thesesannular series' orcircles being radially: space-dl'apartequal distances; so that by 50* blocking oif'any desiredportion'of theupper face of'the' turntab-le'; fouexample by a plurality of masks: 520f paper on other suitablev flexible masterihzltg-lued-ior"otherwisecaused'to adhere to the topiaeeoT the turntable. These masks coverthe555- desired number of holes in the turntable, leaving expnsed 'suchnumber of groups of holes, as indicated iir-the spaces 53; 54; 55. and55. Each of these: SDQICES. areof such extent as to leave: ex-

posed the same number of holes in each space or eoegroup; theunumber ofholes so left exposed in.

each group beingthe'rrum-ber of tablets desired to bez'deposite'd in'thecontainer 51 '(see Fig; 3) when eachsofvthese groups-of holes movesingly into position-above: the hopper 58; the enlarged upperendiofwhich isopen, and the :lowerend of whichis-constrictedftosa:sizeto fit thenecl: of the con tainer. being filledtherefrom.

For-example'inispacel'riiiFig. 1) there are' 30 hcrl-es---leftexposed-which means that as these 30 end ofi :l'ropperf 58; at: whichtime 'the :radial rows? of tablets will be successively positioned over:the? hopper-randetheitabletssdropped throughcthezhop- As seen in Fig perinto the container, thus insuring that the desired number of tabletswill be filled into the container. While for illustrative purposes wehave shown four of these spaces or groups 5356 of exposed holes, we wishit understood that any other number of such spaces, or groups, may beused around the turntable as will best suit the operation of theparticular apparatus being used. We also wish it understood that in eachgroup, or space any other number than of exposed holes may be used asdesired, the important feature being that whatever number of holes isleft exposed in each group, that will be the number of tablets depositedfor each group through hopper 53 into each container positioned in thebottom of this hopper. When one container has been filled from one groupof holes an empty container will be immediately positioned in the bottomof this hopper and filled from the next successive group of holes. andsuccessive containers will be filled from successive groups of holes asthe turntable rotates to bring these groups successively over thehopper.

From the above it will be understood that all that is necessary is tofill hopper 26 with a sufficient supply of tablets, and start theturntable in operation through the motor and connecting mechanismtherebelow, after which the tablets, one for each hole in each group,will be carried around with the turntable until deposited through hopper58 into the successive containers 51, thus insuring a predeterminednumber of tablets in each container, the number of which tablets will bethat determined by the number of holes in each group or space 53-56.Also as understood, the flange will prevent stray tablets from fallingoff the turntable, the brushes 46 will guide any stray tablets towardsthe interior of the turntable, and the barrier-band 49 will guide anysuch stray tablets back to a position beneath hopper 26.

As will be understood the masks 52 may be of paper or other suitablematerial, and so attached to the upper face of the turntable that whenit is desired to change the number of holes in each group, an additionalstrip or strips of masking paper may be fastened over the number ofholes desired to cover up some of the holes if the number is smallerthan what the masks are set for, or portions of the mask may be removedto expose more holes if the number of holes desired is larger than whatthe masks are set for. In other words, the number of holes in each group(which controls the number of tablets to be filled in each container)may be positively controlled by the number of holes permitted to remainexposed in the spaces between the ends of the masks. The containerfilling hopper 58 is removably mounted to the table by means of a flange60 seated in a correspondingly shaped depression in the facing layer l5so that when the turntable is removed the filling hopper can be removedand replaced by any other hopper desired for filling other sizes ofcontainers. Shelf BI is provided below the hopper 58 and serves as awork table upon which the containers 5! may be stocked empty on oneside, then filled, and the filled containers moved to the other side ofthe table for removal as desired. As will be understood, the operatorstands in front of shelf 6| to facilitate the handling of the containersand operation of the apparatus.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. In a tablet counting machine, a stationary table having an upstandingcircumferential flange, a turntable rotatably mounted on the stationarytable within said flange, a frame hingedly mounted on the stationarytable for vertical swinging movement thereon, a hopper on the' frame onone side of the table adapted to have tablets placed therein; saidturntable having'a plurality of annularly spaced groups of holes, eachgroup having the same predetermined number of holes, said .groups ofholes successively passing under the hopper to receive tablets in theholes as the turntable rotates, a wiper on the trailingside of thehopper to brush back any excess tablets from the surface of the group, awiper in the;

frame on the opposite side of the table, said wiper being positioned atan angle to divert inwardly.

any stray tablets so as to insure that the hole groups passing under theangularly positioned wiper will have only one tablet for each hole, and

a second hopper below the stationary table into the open mouth of which.the tabletsof a group that has passed the angular wiper will bereleasedfor passage into a container so that each conpredetainer thus.filled will contain the exact termined number of tablets. 2. In a tabletcounting machine, a stationary table having an upstandingcircumferential. flange, a turntable rotatably mounted on the stationarytable within said flange, a frame hingedly mounted on the stationarytable for vertical swinging movement thereon, a hopper on the frame onone side of the table adapted to have tablets placed therein; saidturntable having a hole groups passing under the angularly posi-- tionedwiper will have only one tablet for each hole, anda second hopper belowthe stationary table into the open mouth of which the tablets of a groupthat has passed the angular wiper-will: be released for passage into acontainer so thateach container thus filled will contain the exactpredetermined number of tablets, and a curved barrier band secured tothe lower side of the frame to guide stray tablets back to the spacebeneath the first mentioned hopper.

3. In a tablet counting machine, a turntable having around its circularextent a plurality of annularly spaced groups of a predetermined numberof holes, means for rotating the turntable, a. hopper above theturntable and having anopen= bottom under which all of the holes of eachgroup can successively pass as the turntable rotates so that one tabletwill be deposited in each hole of each group as the holes and the groupssuccessively pass under the hopper, means at the trailing edge of thehopper to wipe back from the moving surface of the turntable any excessof tablets over one for each hole, a second hopper below the turntableat a point from the first mentioned hopper and having a mouth of a sizeto successively receive all of the tablets of one group as theysuccessively pass thereover whereby a predetermined counted number oftablets may pass through the second hopper into a container, means onthe opposite side of the turntable from the first mentioned hopper fordiverting stray tablets away from the location of said second hopper, aframe pivotally mounted above said lime vertical: swinging cmovement"with:

relation theretmjsaidvfirsfz mentioned :hopp erand; said stray; tabletdiverting means being: carried l by saidzframevfon movement upwardlyaway frozn thesttumtabler WhBIIJtFIEifIELmEliSiTSO moved.

45111: as tablet; countingmachine; a turntable having: around: its;circular "extent a pluralityof :mnnlarlyfspacedgroupssofia predeterminedmint-E berrof holes;- means .fon'rotatingrthe turntable; ,a: above the"turntable and having an open button under" which all of theaholess. of Teach" gmupzcaxrsuccessively' pass: as the! turntable. rotfiasssmthatonetablet will be deposited: in each. hole: oiieachi group as theholesandithe groups successivelypass' underrthe.hopper; means-atthetrailing-t. edge". of the hopper: to time back" fromtheamuvmgz-surfacei of the turntable any excess n'remhy said'iframeiformovement upwardly away from theaturntablei: when: the frame is so moved,at; curved; loopei barrier-bar fixed to. said frame forguiding.straystabletsback'to the first mentioned hopper when thebframeisin lower position:

*5 ::Irr. a tablet counting machine; a turntable liavingrinnan annular.path a plurality of "spaced g-mupspf atpredetermined number of holes, a

under! which said groups of holes sucoasiivelyhpasslso that one tabletwill-fall into eaemhol'e ofithe group under the hopper, meansfonrotatingthe-turntable; and means forreleasingthe tablets. of'a'group'at a point removed from the rhopperfto. pass 1 into a container sothat the container contain an exact predetermined numberrof tablets, avertically swingable frame abolvessaid turntable; means for guiding anystray tablets? away'from the location ofthe tabletreleasingtpoint};.saidfirstmentioned hopper and said stray tablet ,guidingmeansbeing fixed 130' saidsirame forrswingi-ngxmovement therewith towarchandxaway from the turntable.

61.111" a: tablet counting machine, a turntable havimsim an annular'path a pl'ura-lityof spacedgrrmpsw of; at predetermined number orholes; a

hopper." under" which" saidgroups." or holes. sue-- cessively. passsothat oneitabletiwillliall into each; hole of: thesgroup: under thehopper, means for rotatingztheizturntable, and means for releasing thetabletsrofiagroup at a point removed. from the hepperrtozpassinto acontainer so that the container wilLcontainran exact predeterminednumhen-of tablets; a: vertically swingable frame: above saidzturnta'ble;means-for guiding any stray tab lets-away from theilocation of thetabletreleasing point; saidifirst: mentioned hopper and said straytabletguidingimeansbeing fixed to said'frame for: swinging movementtherewith toward and away from-the turntable, and releasable fastening:meansxfor'holding said frame in close proximity to. saidturntable.

7; In a, tablet. counting machine a turntable having inran-annular patha plurality of-spaced groups of apredetermined number of holes, asupporting table upon which said" turntable is rotatabiyfimounted, aframe swingably mounted uponisaid'isupporting' table and extendingthereacross, a hopperonisaid frame under which hopper said groupsofholes successively "pass so that OIIEatEtblGt-WiH fall'in eachholeof'the groupunderthe hopper; a. second hopper below the turntable .at apoint removed from the first mentionedihopper'for releasing tablets intoa contamer, a=curved looped barrier-baron said frame forJguidingstray'tablets back into the space below thefirst mentionedhopper; saidfirst mentioned hopper and said'barrier-bar being swingable with theframe toward and 'away from said turntable.

' CHESTER C. FOWLER.

GEORGE T. CLARK;

REFERENCES orrnri r The following: references are of record in the fileof this patent:

UNITED-STATES PATENTS

